Justin Bieber is pushing back against rumors linking him to the ongoing sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. On Thursday night, his representatives issued a statement clarifying that Bieber is not one of Combs’ alleged victims, addressing months of speculation fueled by resurfaced footage and images of the two celebrities from Bieber’s teenage years.

“Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,” a spokesperson for Bieber told TMZ. “Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs and Justin Bieber perform together in Miami in 2010.

Combs is currently standing trial in New York City on sex trafficking charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty. Requests for further comment from either Bieber’s or Combs’ camps have not been answered.

Public interest in Bieber’s past connection to Combs reignited after fans began circulating old video clips and photos, questioning the nature of their friendship. In particular, a 2019 YouTube video featuring a young Bieber with Combs raised eyebrows. In the video, Combs shows Bieber a Lamborghini and tells him he can have it when he turns 16. “Where we hanging out and what we doing, we can’t really disclose,” Combs says in the clip. “But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream… We’re gonna go buck-full crazy.”

Their closeness had been acknowledged publicly before. During a 2011 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Bieber and Combs appeared together, discussing their unlikely friendship. At one point, Combs quipped, “He knows better than to be talking about the things that he does with big brother Puff on national television. Everything ain’t for everybody.”